Books have Arrived!

Just look what the UPS man just delivered! The Volume II books are here! Woot! Woot!  

Thanks again to everyone who ordered a book during the Pre-Order Sale; and I'll be mailing these out on Tuesday...so watch your mail boxes the end of the week!  

I ordered a handful of extra books...both Volume II and Volume I books. They are listed at the Etsy Shop, and when they are gone...they are gone.   Amazon will have the Vol II book active at Amazon.com by mid-week...and the International sites soon after! Not sure about the launch of the Kindle edition...but it will happen this summer for sure.   Now, to the work of printing labels, autographing books, and packaging everything to get to the post office on Tuesday!  

Book Pre-Sales Ending Soon...

Morning everyone...look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday...the PROOF copy of my new book!   I spend the evening making all of the editorial and layout changes needed. It is back at the printers for technical review this morning.What this means...is that I'm close to ordering the books needed to ship out to my Etsy customers that bought a pre-release copy. So, will be doing that on Monday.   That means...that you have until Sunday evening to order you book at the PRE-SALES price from my Etsy Shop...(20% less than Amazon will have).   AND, the book had so few changes needed...the expected launch date for Amazon will be EARLY June rather than LATE June according to the printer. Yeah!   Of course they won't have it at a cost savings...so jump over to Etsy now to reserve a copy for yourself!   You can read more about the book at my last blog post...here.    

OPEN REGISTRATION for Basic Crazy Quilt Course (BCQC) - May 2016 Class

OPEN Registration for Basic Crazy Quilt Course (BCQC)

May 2016 Class

 REGISTRATION will remain open until midnight on May 20th (CST) NOTE: I do not accept late or early registrations for classes...you need to register within the dates of the open registration period. I'm sorry, but I just have too much going on to keep up with early or deal with late registrations.   The FREE class is self-paced, and expected to take 4-8 weeks, depending on the time you have available to complete the 12 assigned Tasks.
 

  These 12-Tasks include:   1 - How to Use the Class Blog 2 - Selecting Supplies 3- Design Principles of CQ 4 - Sewing the Block 5 - Surface Beading Techniques 6 - Template Seams 7 - Shape Seams 8 - 11 Various Silk Ribbon Flowers 12 - Finishing (lace, charms, etc.)   The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions. You will need to obtain your own supplies as I do not sale kits.   Link to the Basic Supply List    Basic CQ supplies include silk ribbon, pearl cotton threads, tiny beads, etc. as the photo above indicates. None of these are in large quantity for a single block that measures about the size of a sheet of print paper.   You will be required to use a quilting hoop (Q-snap is fine). You WILL be required to access the private class blog (upon an invitation sent to you) and post photos of your work as you progress through the class.
  If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address you wish me to send class instructional handouts to.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email and Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held. Watch for BOTH of these emails, check your spam folder. If you do not receive by Thursday morning, email me to let me know.   This is an ON-LINE internet class.    You will need to follow some simple instructions to register and gain access to the private class blog. Your name and email will need to be entered; but NO social security or credit card information is required. Just basic information to "recognize" you as a class participant.   You will need to be able to take a photo of your work, and upload it to the class blog. You will get instructions on "blogging" so don't worry if you don't currently do that now; you will learn. But, you DO NEED to have an operating camera and be able to take photos. You do need a basic understanding of how to save these photos and then retrieve those picture files   NOTE: You will be given class handouts/instruction in the form of emails and pdf documents.  The pdf files can be opened with Adobe Reader (free software on the Adobe.com site)
 You need to be able to open these handouts/instructions and save them. You can also print as you desire. In total, the course contains over 200 pages of information...so paper/printer will be required if you want to retain a hard copy of this information.   Hugs, and I hope to see you in the class!    This class is REQUIRED before you can sign up to any of the other courses offered this year.   Op

OPEN REGISTRATION for a new class! Traditional Quilting Course (TQC) - May 2016

I’m opening a brand new class…in TRADITIONAL quilting…not crazy quilting. For this course, we'll be creating a group of Mug Rugs...like the photographs throughout this blog post. Each has an optional embroidery panel attached to the quilt block we will be piecing. The embroidery designs are provided in the course...or you can use your own designs...or you can use machine embroidery...or you can omit the embroidery all together and create a square Mug Rug rather than these rectangle ones.

As you may (or may not) know…I’ve been quilting and teaching quilting for decades. The onsite classes are honestly the best as they give me great joy is instructing students and watching their faces as they “get it”.

I’ve missed that so much being retired and not near my quilting guild friends any more. But, I have found unexpected peace and joy in teaching on-line to fill this void in my life and share my love of quilting. It was odd at first, but now…I’ve gotten a process down that is easy for me and seems very beneficial to the participants.

So far, crazy quilt classes have been the focus. But, even crazy quilts have to begin by piecing a block…so they can also benefit from a traditional quilt course. Plus, folks that might want to learn about traditional quilting may stumble into the crazy quilting classes too! So, win – win either way!

This course, as all of my courses, are free. There is no fee to sign up or to take the class. Of course you do need supplies…as we can’t produce quilts from thin air!

I’ve tried to keep the costs as low for you as possible by designing a course that consists of small quilt blocks, rather than create blocks for a large quilt. Also, these blocks will be “used” as part of small projects rather than stored away in a drawer or box. The finished project will be a set of “mug-rugs” which could be a gift or a personal keeper.

You will need some tools for machine piecing of quilt blocks. Here too, I’ve tried to keep the costs down by creating my own patterns and guides for your use…printable of course. And the fabric costs are low because the amounts needed are minimal. While there is still an “up-front cost” for a rotary cutter, mat, rulers…at least the other costs are at a minimum requirement.

You can use whatever cotton fabrics you have on hand…or select a nice palette of pretty cotton fat quarters from your local quilt shop or online fabric store.

The genesis of this course is my Adult Education Course that I sometimes teach at the local community college. That course produces a full-size quilt using 12-inch blocks. So, the lessons had to be totally re-done to accommodate the smaller 6-inch blocks in this TQC module.

There was a plan to use adapt these instructions for use at my friend Shari’s Yahoo Group – StitchMAP. We spend many hours working towards that goal. But, it was just too time consuming for us to complete and did not work out as we had expected or hoped. I am thankful for Shari’s help in the editing of the drafts and the use of a few of her vintage embroidery patterns. But even more so, I’m thankful for her friendship.

The embroidery work is optional, but I think that the projects really benefit from that. The quilt squares are paired with this small embroidery panel to create a finished 6 x 9 inch rectangular Mug Rug. If the embroidery is not stitched, then the panel is omitted and the finished size will measure 6 inches square.

A Mug Rug is basically like a quilted coaster or hotpad. It sits on your table and you place your hot cup of tea (or other beverage) and perhaps a wee little treat (chocolate anyone?) on it. It protects your table top…and looks pretty alone as well.

The course will include general information at the beginning…then we will work each Mug Rug as individual tasks. The first Mug Rug to be created will be at Task #4 and there will be nine of these all together.

As the course progresses, each quilting block technique introduced at the Tasks will get progressively more technically complex. Not harder (well maybe a bit harder)…just more Thought Provoking…and probably requiring more Patience. Here is how the course Tasks will be issued:

Task #1 – Orientation to Quilting and Obtaining Supplies

Task #2 – Learning to Sew Precise Seam Allowances on the Sewing Machine

Task #3 – Learning to Cut Precise Strips and Shapes from Fabric using a Rotary Cutting System

Then we begin the Mug Rugs…actually sewing!

Task #4 – Simple Nine Patch Block: Learning the Basics of Assembling Rows and Columns of a block design

Task #5 – Bars Block: Learning strip piecing techniques

Task #6 – Diamond Bars Block: Learning to create corner triangles with “flip-squares”

Task #7 – Churn Dash Block: Learning to create double triangle patches from square pairs

Task #8 – Card Game Block: Learning to piece with bias edge patches

Task #9 – Star Block: Learning to use a paper grid system for piecing smaller patches

Task #10—Dresden Plate Block: Learning to piece wedges, adjust seams, and applique a curved edge

Task #11 – Fan Block: Learning to piece convex and concave curves together

Task #12 – Flower Block: Learning to paper piece

The course will run from a Blogger class blog. You’ll receive an invitation to this blog before the course starts. When received, accept the invitation…and remember the URL of the site. The invite only works once, so it is good to bookmark the class blog once you have arrived at the site. If you need help, let me know by emailing me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com

Each lesson in the course has a “TASK” at the back of the handout. It is clearly marked by a red box. Once you have completed this task, a photo of your work will be uploaded (posted) to the class blog. I’ll see that and leave you some comments on the class blog. If you have problems…email me…don’t post about them as I see my emails several times a day but may only check the class blog once or twice a day. Also, once I’ve left you some feedback below your blog post…I may not be going back to that post again since you have completed the task.

When I finish leaving feedback on all of the current class blogs (this course and the crazy quilt courses open at the moment)…I’ll send out new tasks. So, when you have finished a task…posted your photo of that finish…I’ll comment to that..and THEN will send out the next task to you. This may take a day. However, if you see that I have left you a comment on the class blog post…and have not yet sent you the next task…email me. I do sometimes mess up and forget to send the next task. I try not to…but, it does happen…so, this is my admission and request for your help. J

So…if you are interested in taking this course…Registration is NOW OPEN. It will close at midnight, CST...on 18 May. 

Here's how you sign up for the class: Just email me this information about you:

Name

State/Country

Email that you want to use for this course (handouts will be sent here)

 

Once I get your registration information...I'll add you to the class roster and then have a Class Invitation emailed to you…and we shall begin the fun! THIS IS AN ON-LINE CLASS...so you must be a little knowledgeable about reading and getting to a blog. But, since you are on this one...that should not be too hard to do. If you have problems...email me and I'll try to help.

Also, just so you know...my grand-daughter graduates from 6th Grade tomorrow (Monday) and I'll be at my daughter's house most of the day and night...away from my laptop. So it it takes a couple of days for you to hear back from me...don't be alarmed. IF YOU DON'T here from me on Tuesday...email me to make sure that I do have your registration information. Spam is set so as to NOT eat things up...but the cyber gremlins do sometimes get things anyway I have found. Hugs!

Crazy Quilting Volume II - Ribbon Embellishments - taking pre orders on Etsy!

UPDATED 5/20/16: Amazon has indicated that they will launch in EARLY June rather than late June...yeah!   Good morning everyone! The Ribbon Embellishments book is in the final stages of publication! Mary has it for editing...and I expect to get her changes made next week. The printer has mailed me my first Proof Copy...so I can check the photo and layout. Then, changes will be made and the books can be printed for shipment to me! Want a peek at some of the pages?  

Seriously, I'm so excited...aren't they gorgeous in color!   I've listed in on my Etsy shop for Pre-sales in the United States only, Sorry, the international sales will have be handled via email for now...so just send me a note and we can discuss...or you can wait just a bit longer and get a copy from Amazon.com International when the book launches in late June. Here is the draft cover artwork...which may change slightly.  

The book is over 160 pages and is packed just as full of diagrams, patterns, how-to instructions, and luscious color photographs! When I had "white space" at end of some sections...I decided to fill that in with color charts of some new seams!   I'm so proud of this book...it is even better than the Basics Book and I dearly love that book! So, you can see that my joy is spilling over this morning!    When the books arrive from the printer, I'll get them into the mail promptly. I've listed the book twice on my Etsy Shop...one is for PRIORITY MAIL costs for those that can wait even an extra few days...and the other is for MEDIA MAIL costs which is about $2 less, and will take about a week longer to arrive. Your choice of postage rates! The book is listed at 20% off the shelf cost ... as my thank-you to those that pre-order. Amazon will have the full price book available in Late June, don't have an exact date yet...but will let you all know that when I am informed. Hugs, to all!  

Working on the last page...

 

I've been very busy of late...and am working on a Shibori butterfly pattern example for the LAST PAGE of Crazy Quilting Volume 2: Ribbon Embellishments. So, am now almost ready to send the book to the editor (that wonderful Ms. Mary Richardson) for a final review. Woot! Woot!   Will be ordering the Proof Print in a couple of days...to review the artwork quality. Then..final changes...and off to the printer! So...Counting in days now instead of weeks to have this next book on the streets for you! (I know I've been slow...but really, you'll understand when you see it...packed full of new patterns and instructions).

Also, got this beautiful half-doll in the mail today...so will be working on a pincushion...which I've been wanting to do for a while. (Inspired so much by Maureen Greeson's wonderful photos of her collection...thanks for the push to get one for myself!). Also, wanted to show off my baby sister's engraving skills...do you recognize the design on my (knock-off Yeti) cup? It is my Shawkl Designs Logo! Clever sis!  

Lastly, while I do not have any of the Crazy Quilting Volume I: Beyond the Basics books in my Etsy Shop at the moment...you can get them on Amazon.com...internationally too. You may need to search for my author name to find it...try Kathy Seaman Shaw.

Also, Amazon has Embellishing Crazy Quilts, the workbook of seams/motifs. These are also in stock at my Etsy Shop.
So, if you've been wanting any of these...it's a good time to get them before the next book hits the street...so you can have them all.   Hugs!

Floor Model Hoop...for under $30 maybe even under $20

Morning all, For everyone that has made their own hoop using my instructions... And, if you haven't...here is a link to that blog post: http://www.shawkl.com/p/make-your-own-hoop.html Here is a great adaptation by Liz...  

a floor model!

  http://beautifulmetaphor.blogspot.ca/2016/05/the-embroidery-stand-more-adaptations.html